Master of Counselling

Anyone wishing to enrol in the MCouns must have qualified for one of the following:

• a degree from Aotearoa New Zealand with either acquired experience in counselling, teaching, nursing, social work, or an equivalent profession, or been deemed suitable for training as a counsellor; or
• other approved qualifications of an equivalent standard.

If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.

Selection will be based on academic attainment and other criteria, which will include an interview for admission to the professional counselling practice course (COUN675 Professional Counselling Practice I). The relevance and standard of previous studies and any subsequent professional work experience are the main criteria of approval. You will normally be expected to have at least a B Grade Point Average in your 300-level courses. You must also be vetted by police.

To apply, you will need to complete an application form – see 'How to Apply' below.

For the full entry requirements, see the Regulations for the Master of Counselling or use the admission requirements checker.

Vaccines required

The government has announced new vaccination requirements for the health and education sectors. This qualification requires students to undertake placements in the community, including in schools/kura, early childhood centres, or health/medical facilities.

For this qualification, you will be required to be vaccinated in line with the NZ Government regulations, and supply evidence of your vaccination status.

How to apply

Entry to the Counselling programme is limited – applications close 1 October.

See the Counselling application process for details of entry requirements, application forms, and start dates.

Find out more about how to apply for graduate and postgraduate qualifications.

Part I

• COUN671 Counselling and Psychology: Theories and Skills
• COUN672 Counselling Supervision and Reflective Practice
• COUN675 Professional Counselling Practice I
• COUN681 Solution-Focused Theory and Practice with Individuals and Groups

Note that COUN672 and COUN675 are limited entry courses.

You will normally need to have achieved Part I with a B Grade Point Average or better to proceed onto Part II.

Part II

• COUN685 Professional Counselling Practice II

If studying part-time, you will instead complete COUN683 Professional Counselling Practice II (Part A) Part time and COUN684 Professional Counselling Practice II (Part B) Part time.

All students also choose between completing COUN695 Counselling Dissertation (60 points), or at least 60 points of courses chosen from:

• HLTH430 Motivating Behaviour Change I (30 points)
• HLT 431 Motivating Behaviour Change II (30 points)
• HLTH448 The Foundation of Hospice Palliative Care (30 points)
• HLTH463 Whānau and Community Health (30 points)
• HLTH467 Mental Health and Addictions (30 points)
• HLTH469 Health Issues in the Community (30 points)
• COUN682 Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (FACT) (15 points)
• CFPY601 Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence (30 points)
• CFPY602 Child and Adolescent Development: Research, Contexts, and Applications (30 points)
• CFPY603 Introduction to Interventions (30 points)
• EDEM608 Understanding Emotions in Education, Leadership, and Health (30 points)
• SOWK612 Mana Motuhake, a Bicultural Analysis (15 points)
• CULT419 The Policies and Politics of Sex (30 points)

Research Methods course

In either Part I or II, you will also need to complete one of:

• EDEM693 Introduction to Methodologies and Ethics in Educational Research
• EDEM697 Qualitative Research in Education, Health, and Human Development
• EDEM698 Emergent Research Methodologies
• Another approved research methods course of at least 15 points

Useful information:

• Read what other UC postgraduate students have gone on to achieve in their studies and careers in our student and graduate profiles.
• Te Rōpū Rapuara | UC Careers can help you to achieve the career you want, connect with employers, or find a job.
• For research into career destinations by qualification, visit Te Pōkai Tara | Universities New Zealand website.
• Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
• Come along to an upcoming information event for prospective postgraduate students.